Cycling: Sky name formidable line-up to support Froome on Tour

Rider Chris Froome of Britain attends the presentation of the itinerary of the 2017 Tour de France cycling race during a news conference in Paris, France, October 18, 2016.Benoit Tessier/Files

LONDON (Reuters) - Chris Froome will have the benefit of a formidable Team Sky support crew as the Briton seeks a fourth Tour de France victory next month.

The British outfit confirmed its rider lineup on Thursday for the race, which starts in Dusseldorf on July 1, with specialist climbers Michel Landa and Mikel Nieve from Spain and Colombia's Sergio Henao all included.

Fellow Briton and trusted sidekick Geraint Thomas, who crashed out of the Giro d'Italia after being brought down by a police motorbike, also makes the list as does Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski, who like Thomas is known for his versatility.